Recovery Time For Knee Replacement Surgery: Could It Potentially Take Years?

Does Recovery Time For Knee Replacement Surgery Take Longer Than You Think?

You read the title correctly: it is possible that the recovery time for knee replacement surgery could be much longer than you had expected. That may seem implausible to some, but the reality of the situation is that many underestimate the total recovery time for knee replacement surgeries over the course of their lifetimes. And yes, you also read that correctly- surgeries. This may come as a surprise, but an individual’s first knee replacement surgery usually isn’t the last that they’ll have.

So what does this mean? Well, it means that someone can have multiple recovery times. Add those periods of recovery together, and an individual could technically rack up years of hospital time, downtime, trips to the doctor, physical therapy, and everything else that comes along with having knee replacement surgery.

Let’s break it down a little further- first and foremost, the hospital stay of the initial knee replacement surgery lasts from 7-14 days. Next up follows an average of 6 months of bedrest, physical therapy, changing bandages and compression socks, visits to the doctor, etc.- essentially sacrificing your precious time for half a year (and sometimes longer) of recovery. Even at that, that’s just assuming that there aren’t any surgical complications such as infections (which could technically make the recovery process over a year long, should surgical intervention be needed again). Oh, and by the way, you’ll probably have to get the surgery again anywhere between 5-15 years after the first replacement depending on your age and personal factors.

Adding all of this up together, that means that if you have your knee replaced at 45 years old and live until you’re 90, you could technically dedicate 3 years of your life to surgical and post-surgical treatments on your knee...and that’s just for one knee. So in actuality, recovery time for knee replacement surgery could take far longer than expected.

As we’ve mentioned before, the initial post-procedure recovery time for knee replacement surgery averages about 7-14 days in the hospital. While this may not seem like a long time, let’s apply this to the aforementioned scenario above. If you have 5 knee surgeries in your lifetime, that means that you could spend up to 2 months in the hospital. This of course is all dependent on factors such as age and severity, but life can sometimes throw a wrench in your recovery plans. This is especially true in terms of getting an infection while in the hospital.

Hospitals do have infection rates which can cause fairly problematic post-surgical issues. Implant infections are difficult to diagnose and treat, and can be incredibly costly. Although OrthoInfo says that “only” 1 in 100 knee replacement patients will develop an infection, consider the fact that over 700,000 people get knee replacement surgery. That means that over 7,000 people will develop an infection. Also, consider that to be a low-balled estimate. For example, one study found that out of 476 knees that had received knee replacement surgery, 91 had to be treated for infection and 385 “were revised for aseptic failure”. Because the infection rate is probably higher than previously estimated, one can’t count out the possibility that they will a) develop an infection, b) have to receive multiple surgeries in a short period of time, and c) have to extend hospital stay as well as recovery time for knee replacement surgery.

The aftercare regime that follows a knee replacement averages out to be about 6 months. Again, if we take our scenario from above, that means that someone could spend 2.5 years of their lifetime dedicated to post-surgical aftercare. How? If someone receives 5 knee surgeries in their lifetime from age 45 to 90 years old (2 replacements per knee, 1 needing surgical care due to infection), that means they could spend around 30 months of their life resting, changing bandages and compression sleeves, icing, and having to perform hour-long strength training exercises which are usually done in the mornings, afternoons, and evenings.

Add up all of this recovery time for knee replacement surgery and the number is close to 3 years. Although this may seem like a small number, it’s 3 years you will never get back. That number isn’t even including the continued physical therapy that will have to ensue between surgeries. Consider an alternative…Autologous Regenerative PRP Stem Cell Therapy.

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Regeneris Medical’s autologous PRP Stem Cell Therapy has a total recovery time of only 2 weeks. That’s it. Regenerative PRP Stem Cell Therapy for knees is a safe, minimally invasive procedure with an incredibly minimal infection rate that won’t leave you bedridden for months. Regeneris Medical will help you utilize your body’s own healing powers so that you can get back to living your life without wasting any time. Your life is precious- don’t waste any time. Contact Regeneris Medical today for more information by calling 1-855-734-3678 or sending an e-mail to [email protected]

Knee Joint Replacement Surgery: Infection Could Potentially Be A Threat

As we’ve mentioned before, knee joint replacement surgery is not all fun and games, nor is it a means to an end. Knee joint replacement surgeries are both costly in terms of time and money, and take a massive physical toll on the body. While sometimes implants and surgical interventions are necessary to keep a person alive, are more natural route can be taken when it comes to joint replacements. Is it really an attractive idea to have a hunk of metal and plastic popped into your joint socket? One thought process with knee joint replacement surgery is that once the procedure is completed, that’s the end of it. However, that notion is far from true. Truthfully, a joint replacement surgery is just the beginning to a very long, painful, and annoying journey. A big part of this arduous venture, is the very real possibility of a post-surgical infection.

Infection & Mortality Rates of Knee Joint Replacement Surgery

Infection after a knee joint replacement surgery can be very serious, even deadly. In a 2015 study, infection rates and mortality rates were shown to be much higher in adults who are 75-80 years old than their younger counterparts. Not only that, but knee function began to deteriorate between 3-5 years in ages over 75, while patients under 75 only maintained proper knee function at 5 years, thus prompting another eventual round of knee joint replacement surgery.

A 2013 study also found this to be true, as it states that “the mortality rate among patients over the age of 65 years who were awaiting a surgical procedure for treating TKA infection has ranged from 0.4% to 1.2%, and between 2% and 7% among patients aged over 80 years.11 ” This means that, unfortunately, infection rates have been rising in patients receiving a total knee replacement. Although 1.2% and 7% may seem like small numbers, realize that over 500,000 (it’s closer estimated to 700,000) people a year in the United States have knee joint replacement surgery.

Although it may seem intuitive to stay at the hospital for the best care possible, hospitals do have infection rates, and unfortunately that can increase a patient’s chance of developing an infection. “It’s incredibly costly, difficult to diagnose, and difficult to treat,” says Dr. Joel Buchalter states. “[It] usually requires multiple operations.”

Dr. Buchalter brings up another important point in terms of total surgical cost. In addition to the initial knee joint replacement surgery’s cost, “the mean cost of treating TKA infections has been estimated as 50,000 dollars per patient and 250 million dollars per year, in the United States.” In that case, a patient may technically have to pay for two major knee surgeries in a short period of time. Doctors may even have to totally remove and replace the implant. Not only is that a lot the patient’s wallet, but it’s incredibly harsh on his/her body, too.

Is There An Alternative to Knee Joint Replacement Surgery? Yes.

Regeneris Medical provides those who suffer from knee pain and osteoarthritis of the knee with the option of utilizing his or her own body to regenerate the surrounding tissues of joints. We harvest two of the body’s healing elements–platelet-rich plasma and adipose(fat)-derived stem cells–exploit their growth factors, and administer them back into degenerating joints. This minimally invasive procedure has virtually no infection risks, as it is not major surgery and all materials introduced into the body are derived from you.

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If you are suffering from knee pain, call 1-855-734-3678 or e-mail [email protected] to find out more information, and to schedule a consultation in which our doctors will create a personalized treatment plan that will work best for your condition.

Knee Joint Replacement vs. PRP Stem Cell Therapy

It's no wonder that PRP Stem Cell Therapy for degenerative knee conditions is becoming more relevant in today's medicinal practices. After all, knee joint replacement surgery is not something to take lightly. Knee surgery could truly change the course of your life, and not necessarily for the better. Some may think that knee joint replacement surgery has the ability to completely wipe out all pain and problems, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Consider regenerating your own knee joint’s tissues using your body’s own platelet-rich plasma and adipose(fat)-derived stem cells with the help of Regeneris Medical, instead. It can save you pain, time, and money.

KNEE JOINT REPLACEMENT Vs. PRP Stem Cell Therapy

Type of Intervention

Knee joint replacement surgery is completely irreversible. Once you go through with the procedure, there is no going back. And although someone may have knee pain, it doesn’t always mean that they absolutely need surgery. It is entirely possible to be driven towards the idea of surgery far too early on in the process. Why not just put a halt on the degeneration and begin to regenerate tissues?- That’s exactly what Regeneris Medical’s PRP Stem Cell Therapy has the potential to do.

Regeneris Medical's PRP Stem Cell Therapy is minimally invasive and only involves pinpoint injections, as well as a mini liposuction (for SVF)- all of which are numbed with local anesthetic before the process. The best part is that you don’t have to throw your knee away.

Duration of Relief

Even upon receiving a knee joint replacement surgery, it is not the end-all be-all for knee pain and degeneration. Other surgeries will generally follow down the line as the years go by- usually between 5-15 years after surgery all depending on multiple factors. Yes, that means that you will have to go through the entire process all over again.

On the other hand, with Regeneris's PRP Stem Cell Therapy will only have to be performed approximately every 7-10 years. A simple pick-me-up may be needed at that time in order to begin regenerating once again. The greatest part about this is that you will not be continually anticipating a massive surgical process again and again.

Type of Sedation

Full anesthesia is used when going in for knee joint replacement surgery. This is a major downside for many because of some of the negative–and unfortunately common–side effects (which include nausea and vomiting). It can also be a nerve wracking experience for some to experience.

Only local anesthesia is used in Regeneris’s PRP Stem Cell Therapy procedures. This is just to minimize any discomfort when receiving the injections, as well as to numb the small liposuction site if a patient is receiving SVF in addition to PRP therapy.

Hospital Stay

Does a 7-14 day hospital stay following a highly invasive knee joint replacement surgery sound very pleasant? The other worrisome factor is the possibility of getting an infection while in the hospital. Hospitals do have infection rates, and with such an invasive surgery there are possibilities for post-surgical issues. This can cause a longer hospital stay, and potentially more surgery. Not only can this cause even more physical discomfort, but both the hospital stay and post-procedure surgeries can hike up the bill even higher.

After receiving regenerative PRP Stem Cell Therapy from Regeneris, you get to go home and relax in the comfort of your own bed, with your own food, and know that you aren’t continuing to accumulate a hospital bill. It’s as simple as that.

Infection Rates/Complications

In a 2015 study, infection rates and mortality rates following knee joint replacement surgery were shown to be much higher in adults who are 75-80 years old than their younger counterparts. Not only that, but knee function began to deteriorate between 3-5 years in ages over 75, while patients under 75 only maintained proper knee function at 5 years, thus prompting another eventual round of knee surgery.

However, there are minimal infection rates and complications (if any at all) with PRP Stem Cell Therapy. Because this is a minimally invasive procedure that utilizes one’s own biological materials, there is virtually no risk of rejection, infection, or any complications.

Recovery time

Overall, it can be argued that the worst part of knee joint replacement surgery is the recovery period. This is not only because of the pain, but because of a) the downtime, and b) the aftercare regime. On average, it approximately takes a full 6 months to see significant recovery of any sort. Although you will have to have minimal rigorous physical activity during that time, there is also a lot of upkeep such as changing bandages and compression sleeves, icing, and having to test your limits with strength training exercises which are usually an hour long and done in the mornings, afternoons, and evenings. Yikes.

Regeneris medical’s regenerative PRP Stem Cell Therapy treatment doesn’t even compare in terms of recovery. Once the treatment is performed, the patient is recommended to steer away from rigorous physical activities for 1-2 weeks post procedure. Although we do recommend stretching and being mindful of your joints, we would even give this advice out to those who aren’t yet displaying any signs of degeneration or knee pain.

Cost

The average hospital charge for a TKR in the U.S. is $49,500, and a partial knee joint replacement surgery (PKR) typically costs about 10-20% less than a TKR. Although insurance companies may pay for a portion of the cost, they may not cover the entire bill. Not only that, but if we also consider the hospital stay (7-14 days), physical therapy, costs of fixing any surgical complications, total recovery time (6 months), the time taken off from work and enjoying everyday life, and the fact that the implant will have to be replaced in 5-15 years...is it really even worth it?

On the other hand, Regeneris Medical’s PRP Stem Cell Therapy treatment costs around $2,500-$7,500, all depending on your individualized protocol. Although insurance does not yet cover regenerative therapies, the results can last from 7-10 years before another round of intervention may be needed. There is no downtime, no long-term excruciating pain, and no high maintenance upkeep. In just 1-2 weeks, you can get back to enjoying your life’s daily activities.

Contact Us

If you’re experiencing knee pain and are considering knee joint replacement surgery, consider the potentially promising results of regenerative medicine. Call 1-855-734-3678 or e-mail [email protected] to learn more about Regeneris Medical’s regenerative orthopedic PRP Stem Cell Therapy today.

7 Greatest Risks of Joint Replacement Surgery

No one ever wants to get a joint replacement. But for many, the idea is presented as if it is the only medical option for degenerating joints. What no one ever really mentions are the risks that can come along with the procedures. Although some may turn a blind eye to these risks because joint replacement is so common, the truth is that it can do a lot of damage. Here are the 7 greatest risks of joint replacement surgery.  

Risks of Joint Replacement Surgery

1. Infection

Infections can occur either during a joint replacement procedure, or after when the wound is attempting to heal. The joint itself can actually become infected, which can cause a lot of pain and potential medical complications. There is the very real possibility of the replacement joint becoming injected, as well. In this case, the joint will have to be surgically removed and replaced once again.

2. Metal Allergy/Implant Rejection

It is possible that your body will reject the joint replacement implant. This could be due to an unknown metal allergy. Just by simply coming into contact with metal doesn’t always trigger an allergic reaction. But if coming into contact with bodily fluids for an extended period of time--like an implant--the body may have a reaction. Itching, swelling, oozing, rashes, and blisters around the implant site may indicate an allergy.

3. Loosening

All implants will eventually need to be replaced, it’s just a matter of when. The average lifespan of an implant is generally 15 years. Over time and after extensive use, an implant starts to weaken and wear out. Implants gradually become looser, in which the patient will then have to go through the entire joint replacement surgical process all over again, costing you even more time, money, and comfort.

4. Blood Clots

Deep Venous Thrombosis--when blood clots occur in deep veins in the legs and the pelvis--can be potentially life threatening. Clots can travel to other areas of the body, including the heart, lungs, and brain in which they can become fatal. Although it may be the last thing one wants to do, moving around and increasing circulation is incredibly important early on post joint replacement surgery,

5. Change in Leg Length

For hip and knee joint replacement surgeries, it is possible for the patient’s stance may be off kilter. This is due to the replacement joints increasing or decreasing leg length. This may seem humorous, but we can assure you that it is an incredible annoyance. Going back to everyday activities can become a hassle in this case.

6. Dislocation

Staying on the topic of hip surgery, it is recommended not to bend more than 90 degrees at the hip and don't let your leg cross the midline of your body post surgery. This can cause the new replacement joint to pop out of the hip socket, causing great discomfort. People who have received hip joint replacement surgery must be very careful in their daily lives not to overexert the flexibility of the joint, even in performing relatively simple tasks.

7. Excessive Scar Tissue

After any sort of trauma, the body’s natural response is to create scar tissue. Unfortunately, the body may overproduce scar tissue to compensate for the joint replacement procedure’s large amount of surgical trauma. This can cause the joint to become stiff to the point of it being relatively immobile, which can be very uncomfortable and a nuisance.

The Risks of Regeneris Medical’s Regenerative Procedures?

The greatest risk of Regeneris Medical’s joint treatments is not considering them. Regeneris’s protocol involves two major tools- your own body’s healing abilities, and the help of our physicians. Because there are no foreign objects being placed within the body, there is virtually no risk of infection, rejection, loosening, blood clots, change in leg length, dislocation, or scarring. With the use of your own platelet-rich plasma and fat-derived stem cells, you can heal your very own body and get back to doing the things you love. Regeneris’s regenerative joint protocol is minimally invasive, only uses local anesthesia, and has a 1-2 week recovery period. Why replace when you could regenerate?

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If you are considering joint replacement surgery, weigh the risks and the benefits. We understand your time and comfort are precious- call us today at 1-855-734-3678 or e-mail us at [email protected].

5 Reasons Why Everyone Will Be Turning To Regenerative Medicine

  Our society is moving towards using regenerative medicine to aid physical ailments- there’s no doubt about it. Regenerative therapies are being clinically tested by research teams around the globe, and are having great successes with it- treating conditions such as (but are not limited to) blindness, multiple sclerosis, paraplegia, hair loss, parkinson’s, bone degeneration, heart damage, knee pain/degeneration, signs of aging, sexual dysfunctions (for both women and men), and even asthma.

Obviously, there are many reasons as to why regenerative medicine is becoming so attractive to both physicians and patients. Here are 5 main reasons why everyone will be turning to regenerative medicine in the very near future.

1. It’s Natural

Alternative medicine’s popularity has been on the rise for a while now. Platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) and stromal vascular fraction (SVF) are both components of regenerative medicine that are naturally found within your own body. PRP is plentiful in growth factors that can promote healing in soft tissues, while SVF is rich in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) which are able to differentiate between different kinds of cells within the body, thus promoting healing of many (if not all) parts of the body when administered back into problem areas. Because these materials are autologous (they come from your own body), these procedures are totally safe with no risk of rejection and have a very miniscule chance of infection. No medications are involved other than a local anesthetic that is given to numb the mini liposuction (for SVF) and the injection sites. Essentially, treatment is totally natural and very safe.

2. It's Minimally Invasive

PRP or SVF therapy are known for being minimally invasive. Aside from not having to go under the knife, these therapies are attractive to patients for several other reasons; they’re far less painful, they’re cost effective and they are time efficient. PRP is derived from your body by drawing blood, and SVF is gathered via a mini liposuction. Once the PRP is exploited and the growth factors within the gathered adipose tissue (fat) are activated, these products are then simply injected back into problem areas.

3. It's Fairly Simple

Do not let the big science-y words scare you! You can rest assured that these procedures are actually quite simple. Bottom line- your body has amazing healing abilities, and Regeneris is here to help those who are suffering from any disorder or condition heal their own selves. PRP is gathered by placing a patient’s drawn blood into a centrifuge which separates the platelets from the other blood cells. These platelets are then administered back into problem areas via subcutaneous injection. This whole procedure takes about 2 hours, depending on what part of the body is being treated. To gather SVF, 50 ccs of adipose tissue (fat) is taken from the patient via a mini liposuction which is numbed by local anesthetic. The MSCs from the SVF are then injected into the part of the body being treated. This procedure takes closer to 5 hours to complete.

4. It’s Ambiguous

Nearly everyone can benefit from regenerative medicine. The possibilities to heal a vast array of (even all) conditions are currently being explored by research teams all over the world. As previously mentioned, stem cells can differentiate between different types of cells within the body, and adapt to said cells and tissues (they are known as progenitor cells). It can be used for orthopedics, anti-aging, hair restoration, neurological and autoimmune conditions, sexual wellness, cardiac and pulmonary conditions, etc. Regenerative medicine is a great alternative for those who have tried everything, but feel like traditional methods aren’t working for them. Often times, for many conditions, your body has the answer for healing- it’s a matter of harnessing that healing power.

5. It's––Technically––Self Help

By noticing that your body is hurt, you’ve already taken the first step of recovery. The second step is believing that you can be helped. The third step is getting help for the problem, but don’t just settle for any treatment. Although we have made great advances in medicine and technology, some of these now-traditional methods can do more harm than good. Use your own DNA––your natural genetics––as a medicine. Empower yourself by utilizing your body’s own healing powers with the help of professionals that believe in the same.

Contact Us Don’t wait another moment- heal yourself with Regeneris Medical. Call us today at (855) 734-3678.

DISCLAIMER

Regeneris Medical® and affiliates do not claim that stem cell treatments or cellular therapies are a cure for any condition or disease. Adipose-derived stem cell therapies are investigational and are not a part of  FDA-approved stem cell therapies. The information and opinions on this website are for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for advice from a medical professional. If you think you could benefit from stem cell therapies, we suggest patients research relevant information in addition to the information on our site. Be sure to consult a physician before deciding to participate in any investigational therapies.